Department of Defense Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI)

The Department of Defense Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) is seeking applications from eligible educational institutions to enhance defense-related research and education capabilities. Administered by the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the program aims to increase STEM graduates and encourage research collaborations between minority-serving institutions, higher education organizations, government defense agencies, and the defense industry. Eligible applicants must provide proof of Department of Education Title III or Title V eligibility and focus on critical technology areas such as biotechnology, quantum science, artificial intelligence, and space technology. Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to DoD priorities, potential to develop research capabilities, student engagement, and qualifications of key personnel. The funding opportunity is open continuously until July 31, 2029, with a critical question deadline of June 18, 2025, and proposal submissions due by July 31, 2025.

The program will award cooperative agreements and grants, with specific initiatives like the Faculty Immersion Program offering up to two awards valued at $250,000 per year for two years. The total funding amount is not explicitly specified, and awards will be made commensurate with available funding. Selected institutions will participate in a structured research program that includes 10-week laboratory immersions, semester collaborations at R-1 institutions, and 18 months of continued research at the home institution. The research will primarily be conducted at the participating institutions' facilities, with a focus on environmental science research, AI/autonomy applications, and innovative technological developments. Awards are expected to be announced by September 2025, with a performance period extending through the fiscal year.